Hydrangea plant named ‘BC7.12’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Hydrangea macrophylla  (Thunb.) named ‘BC7.12’ originated as a controlled cross between varieties. The cultivar ‘BC7.12’ can be blue or red depending on the acidity of the soil and the presence of aluminum. The variety ‘BC7.12’ has compact, attractive inflorescences with relatively large sepalous florets, attractive sepal pigmentation which resists fading, long lasting blooms which set flowers evenly, stems that branch easily and are strong, and good commercial characteristics. When grown without aluminum, the upper sides of the sepals of the sepalous florets are primarily R.H.S. 67 A (red-purple group) and the under sides of the sepals are R.H.S 68 A (red-purple group).

Botanical classification: Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) ‘BC7.12’.

Variety denomination: ‘BC7.12’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of theSaxifragaceae family. The botanical name of the plant is Hydrangeamacrophylla (Thunb.) ‘BC7.12’.

The new cultivar originated as a seedling from a controlled crossbetween the unpatented variety ‘LK49’ and a commercial variety known as‘Venedig’, the pollen parent, to the inventor which may be the subjectof U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,928 and registered as ‘Venice Raven’. ‘LK49’,the seed parent, is relatively compact plant with wiry stems, relativelysmall leaves, relatively small sepalous florets, and inflorescences thatare resistant to being damaged by conditions in commercial coolers.

The variety ‘BC7.12’ has compact, attractive inflorescences withrelatively large sepalous florets, attractive sepal pigmentation whichresists fading, long lasting blooms which set flowers evenly, and stemsthat branch easily and are strong. This combination of characteristicsmakes the plant ideal for commercial production as an ornamental pottedplant. Below is a table comparing the new variety to similar varieties.The variety ‘BC7.14’ is the subject of a current patent application andhas the same parents, although it was treated with aluminum. The newvariety was grown alongside its parent ‘Venedig’ (grown as a pinkvariety) as a control. The new variety is generally taller than itsparent ‘Venedig’. ‘Venedig’ and the new variety have similarly sizedinflorescences.

TABLE 1 Commerical variety ‘Venedig’ which may New Variety be U.S. PlantPat. ‘BC7.14’ U.S. 10,928 Plant Pat. No. ‘Venice Raven’ New Variety23,801 blued Grown without ‘BC7.12’ with aluminum aluminum Leaf size 9cm × 16.5 cm 8 cm × 13.5 cm Unknown Plant 17″ in 6″ pot. 14″ in 6″ pot.12″ in 6″ pot - height observed controls grown alongside new variety.Stem Stems are Strong Strong - observed strength strong. controls grownalongside new variety Sepal Upper side of Upper side of se- Upper sideof sepals Pig- sepals is R.H.S. pals is R.H.S. 94 is R.H.S. 74 C (red -mentation 67 A (red - A (violet - blue purple group). Under purplegroup); group) to 86 B side of sepals is Under side of (violet group);R.H.S. 75 B (purple sepals is R.H.S. Under side of se- group) observed68 A (red-purple pals is R.H.S. 93 controls grown group). D (violetgroup) alongside new to 86 C (violet variety. group). Sepalous 60 mm 50mm 50 mm - observed Floret Size controls grown alongside new variety

The new cultivar ‘BC7.12’ has been successfully asexually reproducedunder controlled environmental conditions at a nursery in Half Moon Bay,Calif. under the direction of the inventor with its distinguishingcharacteristics remaining stable.

Asexual reproduction was first accomplished when vegetative stemcuttings were taken from the initially selected plant. Examination ofasexually reproduced, successive generations grown in Half Moon Bay,Calif. show that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosedfor ‘BC7.12’ remains firmly fixed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings consist of color photographs that show thetypical plant form, including the inflorescence, foliage, and sepals.

FIG. 1 is a view of the entire plant showing its form, growth habit,dark green foliage, inflorescence, and the color of its sepals.

FIG. 2 is a view of the entire plant showing its form, growth habit,dark green foliage, inflorescence, and the color of its sepals.

FIG. 3 is a close-up view of the adaxial surface of a mature leaf.

FIG. 4 is a close-up view of the base of the stem.

FIG. 5 is a close-up view of the upper side of a panicle of the newvariety.

FIG. 6 is a close-up view of the center of a panicle of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The plants shown in the figures are approximately one year old. Theplant started out as cuttings, taken from the stem of a grown plant. Thecuttings were placed in a pot and the soil was periodically fertilized.The plant was pinched early to promote lateral branches.

‘BC7.12’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. Colordeterminations were made with The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.)Colour Chart, in association with the Flower Council of Holland, locatedin Lieden.

THE PLANT

-   Origin: Controlled cross. The new cultivar originated as a seedling    from a controlled cross between the commercial variety known to the    inventor as ‘Venedig’ and which may be ‘Venice Raven’, U.S. Plant    Pat. No. 10,928, and the unpatented variety ‘LK49’.-   Form: Upright, compact shrub. A typical plant with a mature    inflorescence that is ready for sale is approximately 17″ high and    has a diameter of 19″ when grown in a 6″ pot with appropriate soil    amendments. Plants typically have 3 to 4 stems with one    inflorescence between each stem.-   Growth: Upright, vigorous growth habit. Inflorescence is large. The    plant branches easily with shoots forming at the base of the plant.    Lateral branches are similar in appearance and form to the main    stems.-   Stems: Lenticels are present. Lenticels are R.H.S. 86 A (violet    group) and are 1 to 2 mm long. The surface of young stems is    glabrous. Stems become woody as they age. The color of typical young    stems and young lateral branches is R.H.S. 144 A (green group). The    older portions of the stems are R.H.S. 199 A (grey-brown group)    Younger portions of the stems are 5 to 7 mm in diameter. Older    portions of the stems are 5 to 7 mm in diameter.-   Foliage: Abundant. Leaves are opposite on stem and lateral branches.    -   -   Shape of leaf.—Elliptic with acute base and apex. Margins            are serrate.        -   Texture.—Glabrous; veins dominate on the underside of the            leaf and are sunken on the upper leaf surface.        -   Color.—Mature leaves have an upper side that is R.H.S. 147 A            (yellow-green group), and an under side that is R.H.S. 138 B            (green group). Leaves are pinnately veined. The midvein and            veins branching off the midvein are large and prominent on            the underside of the leaves. Veins are R.H.S. 144 D            (yellow-green group). Leaves are as wide as 9 cm and 16.5 cm            long. Petioles are smooth and 2.5 cm long and 4 mm wide.            Petioles are R.H.S. 138 B (yellow-green group).

BUDS

-   Form: Globose with 3 to 5 connate, elliptic, smooth petals. Sepalous    buds are more likely to have 4 petals. Non-sepalous florets are more    likely to have 5 petals. Buds in the center of the inflorescence are    non-sepalous. The majority of buds will develop into sepalous    florets. Buds are approximately 1 mm by 1 mm when very young. Buds    can be 4 mm in diameter and still unopened. Color of buds is R.H.S.    67 A (red-purple group).-   Aspect: Unopened petals encasing buds are smooth.-   Arrangement: Borne on branched panicles.

INFLORESCENCE

-   Form: Paniculate. Terminal. As many as 100 individual flowers    (florets) per inflorescence. Both sepalous florets and non-sepalous    florets borne on same panicle, with many more non-sepalous florets    than sepalous florets. Flowers do not produce a fragrance. The    peduncle for the inflorescence is strong and upright. Very few    non-sepalous florets developing early on cymes that are later hidden    by sepalous florets. Florets, both sepalous and non-sepalous, have    anthers and style. Inflorescences are long-lasting, changing color    as they age.-   Size of inflorescence: Compact and globose. Individual inflorescence    size is dependent on the number of florets. A typical inflorescence    can grow as large as 8″ in diameter, and 4″ high.-   Shape: Clusters of numerous small florets; sepalous florets overlap    one another. Sepals are persistent.-   Appearance: Showy.

FLORETS

-   General: The non-sepalous florets at the center of the inflorescence    open first. Sepalous and non-sepalous florets are perfect and    complete.    -   -   Corolla.—Generally, for both sepalous and non-sepalous            florets the petals fall off as flower matures. Petals are            typically 4 mm long and 3 mm wide. Petals are R.H.S. 75 A            (purple group). Non-sepalous flowers are typically 4 mm in            diameter after petals fall off. Lenticels that are very            small are present on pedicels of both sepalous and            non-sepalous florets. Lenticels are R.H.S. 59 B (red-purple)            group. Pedicel of both sepalous and non-sepalous florets are            primarily R.H.S. 67 A (red-purple group) when inflorescence            is ready for commercial sale. Pedicels of non-sepalous            florets are 4 mm long, and pedicels of sepalous florets are            up to 40 mm long.-   Stamens: 8 to 10 stamens, with more flowers having 10 stamens, for    both sepalous florets and non-sepalous florets. Pollen is R.H.S. 158    C (yellow-white group). Plant produces abundant pollen. Filament is    approximately 3 mm long. Filament is R.H.S. 78 A (purple group) and    6 to 7 mm long. Anther is 1 mm long and is regular and basally    attached.-   Stigma: Two to three style each, for both sepalous florets and    non-sepalous florets. Each style has one stigma. Style is typically    1 mm long. For young inflorescences ready for commercial sale style    is R.H.S. 68 A (red-purple group) and stigma is R.H.S. 78 A (purple    group).-   Ovary: Ovary is partially inferior, for both sepalous florets and    non-sepalous florets.-   Sepalous florets:    -   -   General. —Veins dominate on the underside of the sepals.        -   Number of sepals.—3 or 4 sepals per floret, usually 4.        -   Aspect of Sepals.—Smooth and glaucescent.        -   Shape of sepals.—Reniform with acuminate apex. Edges are            entire, but with crenation.        -   Size of sepals.—As the florets mature, the sepals enlarge            and overlap each other more and more, until, often, there is            no space between the sepals when the petals of the florets            open. Sepals at maturity are typically 40 mm long and 46 mm            wide. Flowers are typically 6 cm in diameter. The upper            sides of the sepals are primarily R.H.S. 67 A (red-purple            group) and the under sides are primarily R.H.S. 68 A            (red-purple group). Pink pigmentation develops at the tips            of the sepals and travels inward towards the base of the            sepals as the inflorescence matures.-   Fruit: None.-   Disease and pest resistance: Unknown.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Hydrangea macrophylla plant named‘BC7.12’ substantially as herein shown and described.